Unfortunately, injuries are sometimes unavoidable on the ice, especially after years and years of play. Companies have gone above and beyond to create protective equipment to decrease the amount and the severity of injuries.  Major areas of change have been made in the materials used to create the equipment. Modern materials increase durability and lighten the load on the player.

Hockey injuries can range from minor injuries, such as bruises or contusions, to more serious injuries like fractures and spinal-cord injuries. Below is a list of common injuries you can suffer on the ice.

Common Injuries (not a complete list) 

• Lacerations
• Bruises and contusions
• Concussions
• Groin or other muscle strains
• Ligament sprains of the shoulders, wrists, ankles and knees
• Fractures of the ankle, foot, clavicle
• Dislocations of the shoulder
• Tooth loss

The protective equipment required in Hockey varies by age and level of play. Here is a list of the typical protection required in youth leagues, high schools and college.

Protection

• Helmet
• Tongue padding and hard toe cup on skates
• Jock/Pelvic Guard
• Shin guards that extend from above the ankle to above the knee
• Elbow pads extending from a few inches above the elbow to midway down forearm
• Shoulder pads covering shoulders, shoulder blades and chest/sternum
• Breezers with built in kidney, tail-bone, lumbar, thigh and hip protection
• Mouth guards (not required until checking, which occurs in Peewees)
• Face guards
• Some youth leagues require neck guards to protect from skate blades, pucks and sticks.
• Gloves

Treatments
The type of treatment and length will depend on the injury that has occurred. Bruises and contusions are often just part of the game, but extra padding and ice may help with immediate symptoms.

Muscle pulls, strains and ligament sprains are treated with rehab, strengthening and rest. Sometimes, surgery may be needed for severe ligament sprains. 

Cuts may or may not need stitches based on length and depth of the laceration.

Fractures, breaks and dislocations need time off the ice to heal and may require a cast, brace, or rehab.

Concussions are treated based on severity from a level one, to level three, all of which require time away from the ice.

Prevention
The best way to avoid injury is to always be prepared and to always wear your protective equipment.  Many injuries occur because players are not aware of their surroundings.  “There are always injuries that occur because someone’s head is down,” says former NHL player, Rick Berry. “It happens much more in junior hockey than the pros, but it happens in any league. Players need to have the awareness of puck position and opposing player position to avoid these types of injuries."

Hockey injuries are a part of the game. With the right equipment, preparation and awareness, you can keep injuries to a minimum. That means less time cheering on the sidelines and more time helping your team win the game.